It might be hard for Toronto FC fans riding the high of the club’s historic season to imagine a time when the likes of Sebastian Giovinco, Michael Bradley and Victor Vazquez, will leave the club. All have been integral to TFC’s push towards their first Supporters’ Shield this season.

The 2017 season may go down as the best in TFC history, but there’s no guarantee a championship leads to another strong MLS season. Since 2000, five MLS clubs have followed up a Supporters’ Shield by missing the playoffs.

Preparations have begun for life after Giovinco et al. While the club currently has the largest payroll in MLS, the team doesn’t believe all of the future stars of the club will come from overseas.

“I truly believe that the long-term sustainable success of the club will be determined by the success of (our) academy,” TFC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko said. “The backbone of our team come 2022, 2023, needs to be from our...